"To the Editors of the South Simcoe Times. Five months of the year are gone, and yet no indication of any attempt to forward the erection of the building, although the means to do so are said to be at hand. Do our Councilmen image they can play possum in this manner, or make it a stalking ... to ride into office next year. If they so think, there is one who will do what he can to "lave them at home," undisturbed for the remainder of their natural lives, for as sure as Jupiter forges thunderbolts, not a soul of them will ever control the affairs of the village hereafter, if it can, with the help of others beside himself, be prevented by Terence O'Know-You0Don't Bradford, May 3, 1862."
This article relates to the fire of Bradford on June 24th, 1862, which originated in an unknown stable in the main city sector. There is no lasting record of a newspaper published during the week of the fire.
"Fire Inquest
On Friday morning last [June 27th], Corner Allen, with a Jury, held an inquiry into the causes of the late fire. About a dozen witnesses were examined, after which the jury returned the following verdict: 'We, the Jury empannelled to inquire into the causes or origin of the fire that occurred in this village on the night of the 24th [June] inst., having heard the testimony brought before us, are of the opinion that such fire originated through accident, whose cause is unknown to this Jury. -A.S. Warburton, Foreman' No evidence was adduced to show that there was either a candle or lamp in the stable on the evening in question."
Large Wesleyan Methodist Bible, printed in 1857, bound in a black embossed leather cover. A handwritten inscription inside reads "Presented by John Lancaster to the trustees of the Wesleyan Methodist Congregation Bradford on the occasion of the opening of their new Church" dated "Bradford January 18--" (corner is torn off). Inside is an insert noting an announcement from M. Rutherford and containing information on the Provincial Sunday School Convention. Another insert appears to be a handwritten programme of service. Some pencil markings inside, including Psalm 80:13 written in at the end of the Old Testament. Revelations is missing.
This was the Bible presented to the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Bradford (later the Bradford United Church) by local preacher John Lancaster at the opening and dedication of the Church on January 15, 1865.
A stained glass window pane, coloured green. Made in a pointed arch shape, with wooden tracery/framing. Part of the original stained glass windows of the Bradford United Church that were removed to make room for new donated stained glass in the late 20th century.
A stained glass window pane, coloured red. Made in a diamond/four-pointed star shape, with wooden tracery/framing. Part of the original stained glass windows of the Bradford United Church that were removed to make room for new donated stained glass in the late 20th century.
A photograph of William L. Campbell (Grain Dealer) standing, c. 1865. Father of William L., Elizabeth F. And Dr. Lewis Campbell. His branch of the Campbell clan was from Caithness, Scotland. At an unknown date they moved to Ireland. William was born in Kilglass, County Sligo Ireland in 1838. He emigrated with his family in 1857 to Traverse City, Michigan. In about 1860 he came to Canada first settling in Brantford, then Newmarket. He was sent to Bradford by his Newmarket employer in 1862 to open a grain and lumber business.
A photograph of six Bradford business men, c. 1865. William L. Campbell (Grain Dealer) is on the top left in back row. He was sent to Bradford by his Newmarket employer in 1862 to open a grain and lumber business.